Smackdown Recap 09.04.09

Smackdown Recap from Cleveland, OH:

Smackdown opened with a highlight music video showcasing the career of WWE superstar Jeff Hardy. The video abruptly ended as CM Punk smashed Jeff with the World title to end Smackdown last week.

Jeff Hardy's music hit to send the Smackdown crowd into a frenzy. To their dismay, it wasn't Hardy who arrived out, but CM Punk wearing Hardy facepaint and other gear. He got in the ring and wiped off his facepaint with a towel then tore off his arm bands. Punk told the fans to enjoy this look while it lasted and that they would no longer be seeing the "Charismatic Enabler". Punk said the fans can be proud of their new World Champion because he's straight edge. Punk said the fans won't ever see him miss Wrestlemania or other WWE events due to personal issues.

Punk started discussing Undertaker and said he should come test his "Breaking Point". Punk made fun of Taker as being all hocus pocus, then called out Taker. Punk said he knows Undertaker prefers playing mind games, using smoke and mirrors to fool the audience. Punk said he can't wait until the PPV when he can prove once again he doesn't tap out to society's peer pressures.

Punk also talked about how upset WWE must be that beer companies won't sponsor them. As Punk continued his speech, he was suddenly interrupted by Matt Hardy's music. Hardy appeared on stage and tore off his shirt, with Punk smirking inside the ring. Matt rushed down to the ring to attack, and the two began brawling. Referees rushed the ring to pull them apart. A non-title match between these two was announced for later on in the show.

The commentators hyped up tonight's major story, the return of The Undertaker to Smackdown.

---

After a commercial break, Smackdown returned with Todd Grisham announcing over a graphic that Rey Mysterio accepted an impromptu challenge from John Morrison for the Intercontinental Title, and Rey accepted since he takes on all challengers.

CM Punk found Smackdown GM Teddy Long backstage and complained about Hardy attacking him in the ring. Punk accused Matt of being high on the same stuff his brother takes. Teddy said they will settle it in the ring. Punk said it wouldn't be for his title, and Teddy booked Hardy vs Punk in a non-title match. Punk said he'd get rid of the other Hardy tonight.

The Great Khali and Finlay vs. Kane and Mike Knox

Before this Smackdown tag match kicked off, a new Breaking Point match was announced, a Singapore Cane match between Kane & Great Khali. A replay was shown from last week as Khali and Singh attacked Kane with their Singapore Cane.

Late in this match, Finlay went to the corner to try to jump at Knox, but Kane shoved him off the corner to the floor. Finlay appeared to hurt his arm, so Knox worked on that in the ring. Finlay started to bleed from the mouth as a result of things. Everyone got involved in the match, and during the brawl, Finlay was able to clock Knox on the head with his shillaleigh while the ref was occupied with Kane and Khali on the outside. Finlay covered Knox to get the pinfall victory.

Winners: The Great Khali and Finlay win via pinfall over Kane and Mike Knox.

GM Teddy Long was shown backstage watching the new WCW DVD rather than the Smackdown show. Chairman Vince McMahon came in and started to yell at Long for the DVD. Vince then started to congratulate Teddy for his match last week which resulted in Jeff Hardy leaving WWE. Vince said "Good stuff" and slapped his chest. Vince also commended Teddy for the Punk vs. Undertaker match for Breaking Point. Vince asked Long his thoughts on the ugly pink jacket he was wearing. Teddy said he'd be honored to wear a jacket like that and is lucky to be working for Vince. Vince was pleased with Teddy kissing up so he left the scene.

---

Backstage Maria and Eve were chatting as Maria was fixing her makeup in a mirror. Michelle McCool came in on crutches to start talking trash. Melina came up to her and told her she'd be going after her Women's title again. As Michelle left, Melina warned Maria about dating a bad boy like Dolph Ziggler and said she was concerned about her.

John Morrison vs. Rey Mysterio
Intercontinental Title Match

In an impromptu IC title match, John Morrison got a shot at Rey's belt. Todd Grisham said the winner will defend the title against Dolph Ziggler at Breaking Point. Ziggler was also shown backstage watching the action on a TV monitor.

The fans were very behind this match as they were entertained by a bevy of aerial moves, near pinfalls and great wrestling action. At one point, Rey went off the corner for a Splash move, with Morrison countering him with a kick in the air. Morrison with the near pinfall, so he tried for Starship Pain in the corner. Rey moved away, then did a Springboard Senton move to set up Morrison for a 619. Rey connected on the trademark move, then went onto the apron for his finisher. Morrison avoided the kick and responded by kicking Rey in the face with his springboard heel chuck kick.

Morrison paused briefly before hitting a backbreaker on Rey. Morrison went for Starship Pain again, with Rey blocking it. Rey went for a reverse Hurricanrana move, but Morrison was able to hold onto the turnbuckles in the corner. Rey fell down to the mat in the corner, so Morrison quickly used his finisher, Starship Pain, and won by pinfall. John Morrison is your new Intercontinental Champion!

Winner: John Morrison wins via pinfall over Rey Mysterio to become the new Intercontinental Champion.

---

R-Truth arrived to the ring performing his rap song. As Truth got into the ring, he was soon attacked by Drew McIntyre. After the attack, Drew cut a promo about himself saying he was overlooked last week, but now he will make a statement out of this dancing fool. Drew complained that R-Truth was booked for a match tonight but Drew McIntyre wasn't? Drew said he'll continue ruining everyone's party until he gets the real recognition he deserves.

---

Maria and Eve Torres vs. Natalya & Layla

Throughout this divas match, Natalya and Layla used various attacks to prevent Maria from gaining momentum to make a tag to Eve. Eventually Maria made the tag, and when chaos broke out in the ring, Eve was able to score the winning pinfall on Layla.

Winners: Maria & Eve win via pinfall over Layla & Natalya.

---

Matt Hardy vs. CM Punk

In a non-title match, Matt Hardy looked to avenge his brother's recent losses to Punk, as well as the heinous attack last week Punk made on Jeff. Punk attempted to escape out of the ring early, but Hardy gained control as Punk came back inside. Punk managed to survived Hardy's attacks to begin an offensive attack of his own, which included Punk knocking Hardy down before a commercial break. During the match, Jim Ross also hyped up CM Punk's submission moves he may use against Undertaker at Breaking Point.

After a commercial, Punk wore Hardy down using an abdominal stretch. He continued to do so, as the crowd got behind Matt. Matt eventually escaped the hold, with Punk striking him in the gut, then sending him to the corner. Punk missed on a shoulder tackle, allowing Matt to hit a clothesline followed by a running bulldog. Matt followed with a double axehandle from off the corner, and got a 2 count. Matt went for Twist of Fate with Punk blocking the move. Hardy use an inside cradle move for another two count. Punk kicked Matt in the face and pinned, with Hardy escaping at 2.

Punk tried a springboard clothesline off the ropes with Hardy ducking it to hit the Side Effect. Matt was able to knock Punk out of the ring, then ran off the apron to clothesline him down. Punk responded with a mid-air kick to Matt's gut. Punk sent Matt across the guardrail area, then got a steel chair. Punk smashed the chair into Matt's already ailing abdominal area, then smashed the chair down on his back.

After the DQ finish, Punk tried to put the chair around Matt's head. Hardy was about to suffer the same fate as Jeff, when the lights went out. Undertaker's bell tolled. All of a sudden, the lights came back with Taker standing right near CM Punk. Punk was shocked and ran right into Undertaker who grabbed him and chokeslammed him right through the commentator's table. The commentators said nothing as the replay footage was shown. Smackdown ended with Taker standing over a fallen World Champion CM Punk, right before Undertaker's pyro went off.


Winner: Matt Hardy wins due to disqualification when CM Punk used a steel chair.